Brandeis names Arthur Levine its president

Brandeis University on Monday announced that Arthur Levine will assume the title of president and continue to lead the university. 

The move follows a vote by the Board of Trustees to extend his service through July 2027 and to reaffirm its support for what it calls his innovative vision for reinventing the liberal arts.

His vision, which reflects extensive input from faculty, staff and students, received overwhelming support from the faculty, with nearly 90% voting in favor of it earlier this year.

“The board has tremendous confidence in Arthur’s leadership and the faculty’s commitment to this bold new approach,” said board Chair Lisa Kranc. “Appointing him as president at this important time will help ensure that this vision is successfully put into action.”

Since arriving on campus in November 2024 as interim president, Levine has worked closely with faculty, staff, students and trustees to shape a long-term strategy that builds on Brandeis’ distinctive strengths in the liberal arts. This plan includes a realignment of Brandeis’ teaching and research into four new academic schools that more intentionally integrate theoretical learning with practical applications, as well as a competency-based second transcript that offers a more complete picture of students’ skills and abilities, helping them demonstrate to future employers how their learning can be applied beyond the classroom and into their careers.

Levine said he is deeply grateful “for the faculty’s trust and partnership in shaping this vision. I am honored that the board asked me to take on the title of president to help strengthen the work we’ve already begun and ensure Brandeis is well positioned for the future. It’s a privilege to continue serving alongside our faculty, students and staff as we build upon our founding Jewish values, especially reverence for learning and a determination to repair the world, to guide our new direction.”

Levine previously served as president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation and as president of Teachers College at Columbia University. He is the author of 13 books and numerous articles about the future of universities and the challenges facing higher education today.

Founded in 1948 by the American Jewish community, Brandeis University is a top-ranked private research university.